Did you know that, in the past, the risk of dying from the
saturated fat in most steaks served on major airlines was higher
than the risk of dying in a plane crash? Fortunately, a recent
report from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
(PCRM) in Washington, DC, which rated the health content of the
food air carriers and airport restaurants are dishing up
nationwide, has found things taking off in a healthier
direction.

"For quite some time, it has mostly been a junk-food haven
in airports," says Andrew Nicholson, PCRM's director of
preventive medicine, "and airlines have not been too far from
[that]. But more and more, if you know where to go, you can get
healthy food."

In general, the vegetarian meals available on airlines tend to
be the most heart-smart because their fat content is usually low,
says Nicholson. United Airlines, for instance, received top honors
for the second year in a row for such four-star meals as its
vegetarian steak and pasta with curry sauce (6.3 percent fat), and
a mushroom ravioli with tomato sauce (13.8 percent fat).
Continental Airlines grabbed second place, serving up
cholesterol-free entrees such as a green bell pepper stuffed with
spicy vegetarian chili, nuts and raisins (27.7 percent fat). Delta
Air Lines ranked last, offering a vegetarian ragout (48 percent
fat).

On the ground, airport restaurants differ greatly in the
availability of healthful low-fat and vegetarian foods, with the
best offering numerous choices and the worst serving almost
nothing. For example, Los Angeles International Airport, which
ranked first, offers a wide array of healthful options such as
pasta primavera, vegetarian tostadas and cucumber sushi rolls. At
Cleveland's Hopkins International Airport, which ranked last in
the report, the best choices were limited to a garden salad,
steamed vegetables, fresh fruit and air-popped popcorn.

When seeking healthful food, remember that you'll need to
request a vegetarian meal at least 24 to 48 hours before takeoff.
Here's to your health!

Road Notes

Northwest's Dining for Miles program lets Northwest Airlines
WorldPerks members choose from more than 2,300 restaurants in 57
cities and earn three WorldPerks miles for every $1 (excluding
gratuity) spent there. Northwest is also offering 500 bonus miles
for every first-time visit at over 1,500 participating restaurants.
Call (800) 289-6902 for information.

The Mandarin Oriental hotel in San Francisco is offering
business travelers an exclusive Executive Package now through
December 31, 1997. The offer includes daily continental breakfast
for two, your choice of daily newspaper, a complimentary shoeshine,
one hour's use of the Business Center's conference room and
late checkout. Prices for the Executive Package start at $275 per
night. Call (800) 622-0404.

US Airways has added a touch of class with its new lounge, known
as Envoy, in Philadelphia's airport. The lounge, next to Gate
A8 in Terminal A, is available exclusively to passengers on US
Airways' international business class. Amenities include
complimentary business services, such as photocopying and incoming
and outgoing fax service, plus ticketing and check-in services.

Lufthansa has lowered award levels for its U.S. frequent flier
program, Miles & More, by as much as
44 percent. For example, an economy-class ticket for members has
dropped from 90,000 to 50,000 miles.

In the mood for a bit of gambling? Swissair has equipped one of
its MD-11 planes with an Interactive Flight Technologies'
touch-screen system which allows passengers to play different games
of chance on certain flights. Credit cards are used to place bets;
winnings go as high as $3,500.

And you thought you were the only one who constantly checked
your voice mail! Not so, according to a recent Courtyard by
Marriott study, which found that 61 percent of those who had office
voice mail checked it at least twice a day while away on
business.